Makaio

Rating: 8/23 Nose: Surprisingly vegetal and somewhat light, with an astringent quality. Earthy and plant-like notes provide a genuine character. There's also spice and a natural, unroasted bitterness reminiscent of plants. It's drier and lighter than Café Granita, with a comparable bitterness, possibly akin to coffee. Palate: Quite sweet, with pleasant semi-sweet chocolate and roasted notes, along with spices. I wish the coffee flavor was more pronounced, but the taste itself is acceptable. It's not overly complex, but it offers a coffee-like essence without chalkiness from confectioner's sugar. It has some herbal and funky notes, mostly in an interesting way. This palate might not suit everyone, and even I'm hesitant to sip it, though I do appreciate it. More coffee flavor and less sweetness would improve it significantly. The chocolate character is excessive, and the light, watery alcohol lingers for a considerable time. Finish: The sweetness unfortunately persists strongly. Notes of vegetal, caramel, chocolate, alcohol, and a touch of coffee appear, with hints of spice, but it's a considerable downgrade from the palate. Even a hint of confectioner's sugar emerges. Considering the disappointing finish, this is only slightly better than Veil's Double Espresso. I'd rate it an 8, possibly a 9. It lacks the richness of Café Granita but is better executed with fewer chemical notes. I would choose this over some others, but it's still not as good as plain Kahlúa.

A smoother version of Kahlua.